Man Held in St Lucia Death Probe
Police in St. Lucia have detained a man following the discovery of a decomposed body believed to be missing woman Merrisa Auguste. Investigators are awaiting DNA testing and a post-mortem examination to formally confirm the identity and cause of death. Authorities have stated that no resources will be spared as the Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has taken a man into custody as forensic experts prepare to conduct DNA tests to determine whether a decomposed body discovered near the Millennium Highway belongs to missing resident Merrisa Auguste. Auguste, a resident of Boguis, Babonneau, was reported missing on Thursday, September 10, after last being seen the previous evening.
Following her disappearance, investigators located her pink Honda Fit locked and abandoned along the Ti Colon road in Castries, with the words TOP GIRL RIRI written across the front windshield. The discovery of the body occurred on Friday afternoon after a citizen alerted law enforcement to a heavily vegetated area along the Millennium Highway.
Responding officers confirmed the report, and a medical practitioner formally pronounced the individual dead later that evening. Due to an advanced state of decomposition, authorities were unable to make an immediate, definitive identification at the scene. Police officials noted that while preliminary evidence strongly points to Auguste, formal legal identification cannot be declared until scientific verification is complete.
In addition to DNA analysis, a post-mortem examination was scheduled to determine the precise cause of death. Meanwhile, investigators confirmed that a male suspect was arrested on Saturday in connection with the case and remains in custody as inquiries proceed. The Major Crimes Unit is actively leading the investigation, and police leadership emphasized that international experts may be engaged if necessary to assist local teams.
Authorities are urging anyone who travelled along the Millennium Highway prior to Friday afternoon and witnessed suspicious behaviour or unusual vehicular activity to step forward. Investigators are also seeking information from anyone who may have observed individuals near Auguste's vehicle while it was parked in Ti Colon.
Information can be shared directly with the Major Crimes Unit or submitted anonymously through official police crime hotlines.
Primary source: VINO